September 2005 was an unseasonably warm and dry month across the state of New Jersey. The unseasonably dry weather began for most in mid August and continued throughout the month. The lack of rain affected both the agriculture and water supplies. Acting Governor Richard Codey declared a drought watch on September 13th and called for voluntary conservation methods. Residents were urged to limit lawn watering, to only run their washers and dishwashers with full loads and to purchase and install water saving shower heads and faucets. The state's Forestry Service also prohibited the creating of recreational fires that burn directly on the ground and in all wooded areas.  The boroughs of Butler and Kinnelon (Morris County) placed restrictions on all outdoor use of water.Because of the higher cost for fuel, irrigation costs increased. The heat damaged the leaves of temperature sensitive plants such as lettuce, parsley and cilantro. The lack of rain reduced the size of lettuce, cabbage, leeks and arugula. The sun helped cause blistering of tomatoes, peppers, squash and beans. Some tree leaves were showing signs of scorching, especially along their edges. Dogwoods and maples showed signs of water stress. Milk production was down because of the affect the heat had on the cows. As one farmer was quoted, operational costs were up about 20 percent and yields were down 25 percent.Another problem with the drought affected power lines near the coast. The lack of rain permitted salt to build on power lines. When it rained at the end of the month, blown fuses, arcing wires and pole fires occurred. About 9,000 homes and businesses mainly in Atlantic and Cape May Counties lost power.Dating back to 1895, it was the second warmest and fifth driest September on record for the state of New Jersey. Across the state monthly county precipitation averages ranged from 0.2 inches in Cape May County to 2.4 inches in Mercer and Essex Counties. Normal is about 3.8 inches. The southern half of the state was drier than the northern half. The September average monthly temperature of 71.3 degrees at the Atlantic City International Airport was the sixth warmest September on record and the 0.53 inches of precipitation was the seventh driest September on record. At the Mercer County Airport near Trenton, the monthly average temperature of 71.2 degrees was 4.2 degrees warmer than normal and the monthly precipitation total of 2.94 inches was 0.48 inches drier than normal.

Drought in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 01-SEP-05 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-05 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL